---
title: 10 tips from a mom of an online college student  who also teaches distance learning courses – News from the Nest
description: By Robin Hendrix, Hawkes Curriculum Specialist As a mom of an online college student and someone who also teaches distance learning courses, here are 10 tips based on what I have learned over the years. I hope some of these can help you with your online courses. Record audio or video to accompany notes that…
---

[News from the Nest ](https://www.hawkeslearning.com/blog)

# [10 tips from a mom of an online college student who also teaches distance learning courses – News from the Nest](https://www.hawkeslearning.com/blog/10-tips-from-a-mom-of-an-online-college-student-who-also-teaches-distance-learning-courses)

 Written by [Hawkes Learning](https://www.hawkeslearning.com/blog/author/hawkes-learning) | Mar 31, 2020 4:00:00 AM

*By Robin Hendrix, Hawkes Curriculum Specialist*

As a mom of an online college student and someone who also teaches distance learning courses, here are 10 tips based on what I have learned over the years. I hope some of these can help you with your online courses.

1. **Record audio or video to accompany notes that you post for students.** Having a more detailed explanation in a recording can help ensure students fully understand your notes (especially handwritten ones) and make the experience seem more like being in the classroom.
2. **Give students additional examples and explanations outside of those in the text.** Students have the textbook to reference and providing expanded instruction of your own content will help make sure they get the concepts solidified.
3. **Add more detail to traditional PowerPoints that you might post.** Include the explanation that you would have provided if you were physically in class with annotations or using the notes area. Share more than an image or few words on a slide to help students get the most out of a resource that otherwise needs explaining.
4. **Point students to media resources** that accompany their textbook or courseware.
5. **Consider allowing students to use notes** on quizzes and tests.
6. **Reconsider requiring students to use proctoring services** that cost additional money. Explore alternate options for monitoring like video conferencing at the designated test time.
7. **Provide a discussion board for students to ask questions **and advocate its use. Keep the tone of responses encouraging to motivate students to continue to connect with you.
8. **Try to set up a weekly virtual meeting** for students to ask questions at a time they would be online – 8 am in the morning may not be ideal!
9. **Provide individual feedback** as much as possible to make students feel connected.
10. **Consider allowing students to do test corrections** to improve their grade or allow students to submit a draft for feedback before turning in a project.

[View full post](https://www.hawkeslearning.com/blog/10-tips-from-a-mom-of-an-online-college-student-who-also-teaches-distance-learning-courses)

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